The Media Circus and the Grand Slam Gap
Before Wales embarked on their journey to Scotland in the 2023 Six Nations, I found myself increasingly frustrated by the disparity in media praise between our team and theirs. Despite our rich history of winning Grand Slams and Championship titles, it seemed that the Welsh side was often overlooked in favor of Scotland, a team that, in my opinion, hadn’t achieved much in recent years. I walked into my press conference that week with a clear mission: to voice my thoughts and challenge the prevailing narrative. "The pressure is all on them," I declared, referring to Scotland. "They are red-hot favourites, the best team in the tournament, so we will see how they go. We don’t seem to get any credit and other teams seem to get a lot of praise for probably not quite the success we’ve had. I’m fed up of Scotland always being the media darlings, when they win the square root of diddly squat every year. If you listen to everyone, we might as well not have bothered catching the flight."
A Bold Statement and Its Aftermath
I remember the press conference vividly. After delivering my comments, I turned to the group of journalists with a wink and a smile, asking, "Was that enough for you?" I knew my words would make headlines, and they did. Even the Wales press officer remained silent. The match, however, turned out to be a 35-7 drubbing for Wales in Edinburgh. Despite the loss, I stood firm by my comments. They were not about that particular game but reflected a broader sentiment of the contrast in media treatment and the teams’ respective successes. The Scottish players didn’t give me any trouble for my remarks, and the ensuing strike threat for the England match quickly overshadowed the controversy. Reflecting on that moment, I can see why I was so eager for the strike to happen; it would have swiftly buried any negative press.
Bomb’s Echo and the New Atmosphere
This week, I was reminded of my 2023 press conference when I watched Adam Jones, affectionately known as ‘Bomb,’ speak to the media. Bomb, a former team-mate of mine and now part of Wales’ coaching staff, echoed my sentiments almost word for word. "There’s pressure on Scotland," he stated. "This is probably one of the best sides they’ve ever had, if not the best side they’ve ever had. They’ll be expecting to beat us pretty comfortably at home against a team that’s lost 15 times. There’s a bit of confidence now with us. There’s the feel-good factor. They have got good players, don’t get me wrong. But you can rattle good players. We want to get the monkey off our back. We’re going up there to win. We’ll certainly go up there to put the frighteners on them a bit." I couldn’t have said it better myself. Bomb’s fresh perspective and energetic presence have been a breath of fresh air for the team, and his comments have only heightened the anticipation for the upcoming match.
Sherratt’s Impact and the Irish Test
Under the new leadership of Matt Sherratt, known as ‘Jockey’ by the players, Wales has shown promising signs of improvement. Even in their recent defeat by Ireland, the team displayed a level of play that was a significant step forward. Jockey’s immediate impact has been evident, and if Wales can continue on this upward trajectory, they stand a real chance of surprising Scotland this Saturday. While I acknowledge that Scotland, on paper, are a better side with a wealth of talented players, their golden generation has yet to deliver a significant trophy, let alone a Six Nations title. If Scotland fails to beat Wales, head coach Gregor Townsend may face substantial criticism. The pressure is palpable, and Jones’s comments are a perfect reflection of this dynamic.
The Power of Mind Games
The use of pre-match media statements to create a psychological edge is a well-established strategy in international rugby. Warren Gatland, during his first tenure with Wales, was a master at this. He would use the media to rile up the opposition and put his team in a favorable position. Similarly, Eddie Jones has been adept at leveraging the media to gain a competitive advantage. I believe Bomb’s comments this week fall into the same category. They are meant to take the pressure off Wales and place it squarely on Scotland’s shoulders. It’s a respectful but effective way to shift the narrative and give the Welsh side an extra boost. Wales are quietly confident, and they have a solid chance to pull off an upset at Murrayfield.
A Game to Watch
The build-up to this Saturday’s match at Murrayfield is filled with intrigue and excitement, much of which can be attributed to Bomb’s bold statements. Rugby is an entertainment business, and a bit of spice only adds to the spectacle. With an unchanged Welsh XV, named for the first time in back-to-back Tests since 2019, the team is showing a level of stability and confidence that has been lacking. The return of Dewi Lake from injury, ready to provide impetus off the bench, is another positive sign. Scotland, known for their attacking prowess, will need to be at their best to resist the threat posed by Wales. All eyes will be on the pitch at 4:45 pm on BBC1, and I, for one, am eagerly looking forward to what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Wales have a very good opportunity to do something special.
